Obama’s change

One thing I know about Obama is that throughout the next four years, we will have no lack of rousing speeches in times of difficulty. His inaugural address was inspiring. The kind of speech that if all its declarations were carried out perfectly, would heal the nation in next to no time. It certainly drew a crowd and numberless raving Obama fans. I did not vote for Obama, but I really hope he does what he says he will do. His record does not assure me that he will succeed as president, but then again records only go so far. He may surprise me and I am hoping he does.

Something that I have struggled to understand though, is the fierce loyalty that many people have for this man.  None of them knows how his presidency will unfold, yet they act as if The Savior Himself has just assumed the country’s highest office.  I suppose such loyalty is admirable, but he hasn’t done anything yet.  He has given hope for sure, but as the next four years unfold, I will need more than that to shower him with the praise that so many others do.

I understand that everybody shows excitement or anticipation in different ways.  Personally, I will offer my loyalty to the new president and then observe and process what I see before I offer praise.  I never have been the type to fall over myself trying to catch a glimpse of some public figure.  Instead I try to ask what it is that inspires such wild reactions in their followers, and if it is admirable, then maybe I can model myself after it.  But that “something” has to be admirable. 

In Obama’s case, he has some big promises to keep; a big mess to fix.  He’s not a rock star because he has promised to enact change – he will be deemed worthy of my admiration when he shows me he will uphold the constitution at all costs, strengthen moral values as much as he is able, and keep the promises he has made to reform broken Washington.  Even then I won’t be tripping over my feet to see him as tears fall from my eyes, but I will respect him.

The bottom line for me is that he is our president and he has my support.  But great presidents have proven themselves by actions in tough times.  Promises are ok, but we demand more now that Obama has assumed the office.  As far as I’m concerned, the honeymoon is over and it’s time to bring that change.

Tags: Barack Obama, President of the United States, Obama change, American president Obama

Independence Day

Whoever said President Bush never gave a good speech?

In honor of Independence Day just around the corner, I’d like to share this speech that Bush gave in Philadelphia back in 2001, shortly before the events of September 11th.  It’s an outstanding speech, regardless of what you think of Bush.

“Why We Celebrate Independence Day”

Excerpts from remarks by President George W. Bush
at the Independence Day Celebration,
Independence Historic National Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
July 4, 2001

Today we celebrate American independence, in the place of America’s birth, close to a symbol of American liberty. As millions know, to see the Liberty Bell is a moving experience. In America we set aside certain places and treasures like this to protect them from the passing of the years. We grant them special care to mark a moment in time. Here in Philadelphia, these markers are all around us, reminders of our history.
This is a dynamic and modern city. Yet, if the founders themselves were here, they would know the place. Benjamin Franklin and his wife could still find their way from here to the corner where they first saw each other, at Market and 4th. John Adams could make his way to City Tavern and show us the spot where he first shook the hand of George Washington. Thomas Jefferson would still find waiting for him the room where he drafted the Declaration of Independence.
* * *

When Jefferson sat down to write, he was trying, he said, to place before mankind “the common sense of the subject.” The common sense of the subject was that we should be free. And though great evils would linger, the world would never be the same after July 4, 1776. A wonderful country was born, and a revolutionary idea sent forth to all mankind: Freedom, not by the good graces of government, but as the birthright of every individual. Equality, not as a theory of philosophers, but by the design of our Creator. Natural rights, not for the few, not even for a fortunate many, but for all people in all places, in all times.
The world still echoes with the ideals of America’s Declaration. Our ideals have been accepted in many countries, and bitterly opposed by tyrants. They are the mighty rock on which we have built our nation. They are the hope of all who are oppressed. They are the standard to which we hold others, and the standard by which we measure ourselves.
Our greatest achievements have come when we have lived up to these ideals. Our greatest tragedies have come when we have failed to uphold them.
* * *
On this 4th of July, 2001, a great anniversary of our nation’s birth … , we remember the ideals of America and the things of the spirit that sustain them.
The Liberty Bell has been mostly silent for two centuries. And during the Revolution, it was unseen, hidden under the floorboards of a church in Allentown. Yet, even in silence, it has always borne one message, cast for the ages with the words of the Old Testament: “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land, unto all the inhabitants thereof.” In this place of history, we honor the first generation of Americans who followed those words. And we give thanks to the God who watched over our country then, and who watches to this very day.
Thank you, all. And may God bless America.

Tags: Independence Day, 4th of July, George W. Bush, American Founding Fathers, Philadelphia

P90X Grad

My 90 days of P90X are officially up.  I followed the diet and workout plans as closely as I could (well, maybe I had a few illegal meals), and I must say that it lived up to the hype.  Extremely demanding if you push yourself, but very rewarding in the end.

So what do I look like now?  See for yourself…

Well, not quite.  I did gain about 15 pounds though.  And I can see definition that was certainly not there before.  I’m very happy with the results overall, but I see this as a beginning point.

The focus of P90X is not huge size gains as much as getting you ripped.  I think ripped is great, but I’m going to modify the workouts a little bit so as to be able to make bigger gains.  I’d be perfectly happy at 190.  That would be an ideal weight to maintain indefinitely.

I know lots of people are jumping on the P90X wagon now, and I don’t blame them.  If you do what they tell you and be as strict as you can with the diet, it will work wonders.  I hear they even have four more workouts now that they call P90X plus.  I’ll have to check those out.

Tags: P90X, P90X workout routine, exercise, Beachbody, Tony Horton

Food choices…

I am experiencing that strange phenomenon where my sense of awareness is heightened because of a change I’ve made in my life.

I know you know what I am talking about: when you start the car buying process, for example. You’ve never noticed any green Honda Civics on the road before, but once you decide you want to buy one, you start to see them everywhere. It happens to people when they begin to look for a home. You notice ‘For Sale’ signs on every corner; you begin to think that everyone in the world is selling their home. That’s not the case of course, but since you’ve started paying close attention, your awareness has increased drastically.

For me right now, it’s my diet and exercise routine. Four weeks ago I started the P90X exercise program and the corresponding diet plan. The diet plan is strict, dictating how many portions of which foods I am allowed to eat throughout the 90 day program. I’m taking the diet seriously, and that’s where my new-found awareness comes in.

I’ve become super-sensitive to the foods around me. At work, I never noticed how much junk food there is free for the taking until I eliminated it from my diet. There is always a pastry or desert of some kind laying around at seminars, office meetings, and on the desks of co-workers. Before P90X, I wouldn’t have thought twice about picking up one of those tasty treats and stuffing it in my mouth, but now my eyes immediately hone in on anything that shouldn’t be part of my diet and signals my brain that there’s trouble ahead. It’s strange because I don’t think I am doing this consciously, but I suppose that’s how the brain works in these kind of situations.

At the grocery store, I swear I only walk down three aisles to find what I need. Our stores are stuffed with so much unnatural food, but it seemed so normal to be before. It’s almost difficult to find things that haven’t been processed, artificially flavored, or enhanced in some unnatural way. I think it takes me longer to shop now than it did before.

I can’t deny that I feel better, and it’s a change I intend to make permanent; nonetheless it’s funny to think about how the brain has to change it’s patterns when you make a decision like this.

Tags: P90X,healthy living,fitness programs,healthy food